Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 23: A delegation from Ladakh led by CEC LAHDC Leh Dr Sonam Dawa, Minister for Cooperatives Chering Dorjey and Member of Parliament Thupstan Chhewang called on Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, MoS for Civil Aviation Dr Mahesh Sharma and Chairman UPSC Deepak Gupta.
In the meeting with Manohar Parrikar, the delegation made several submissions which include relaxation for transporters of Ladakh region in respect of the “Vintage of Vehicle” clause, preferential treatment to Cooperative Marketing Societies in the award of contracts for supply of vegetables, fruits etc to the Army and retaining of the conventional system of tendering to the Cooperative Societies in Ladakh sector, all- weather road across Parang La, preference for Ladakhi local aspirants for the job avenues with Army and projects of Border Road Organization in Ladakh, redressal of the genuine grievances of the porters engaged at Saichen Glacier, increase in the air tonnage to the civil administration by the Army, induction of Ladakhi women in Army for non combative roles and vacation of State land encroached without formal allotment.
The delegation also demanded postponement of e-tender system till the region gets proper internet connectivity. Mr Parrikar gave assurance to find favourable solutions to the issues raised by the delegation.
In the meeting with Nitin Gadkari, the delegation requested for Union Minister’s personal intervention in timely commencement and effective completion of tunnels at Zoji La, Taklang La and Lachung La and construction of Nimo-Padum-Darcha road out of Rs 20,000 crore earmarked for Ladakh under the PM package.
The delegation also requested the Minister to ensure commencement of construction of National Highway 301 from Sanku in Kargil to Padum in Zanskar and inclusion of other big projects of roads and bridges under various schemes funded by the Central Government through the State Government in the current financial year.
The delegation took up the serious matter of skyrocketing airfares between Leh to Delhi and Jammu with Dr Mahesh Sharma. They urged the Minister to direct Air India to operate its service to Leh sector daily as a social and national obligation and Jet Airways to resume their regular flights to Leh. The delegation also demanded that air fares to Leh sector should be rationalized on the pattern of Andaman and Nicobar Island.
The delegation requested for exemption of the candidates from Ladakh region from Compulsory Indian Language (Paper I) in the UPSC Civil service Mains examination on the pattern of North-Eastern States.
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